I can not say enough about the brave men and women who put their lives on the line, their families lives on hold and potentially sacrifice everything to serve for the benefit of our countries freedom.

Today's first image was shot at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg PA. I thought it was interesting because I think it represents our military men and women well. Duty, Courage, Bravery, Honor and all in the name and shadow of our flag.

Other than to say THANK YOU I find myself unable to create a suitable honor for these men and women. I always think of a poem I read in high school when I think of these men and women. I will post it here today...

The Charge of the Light Brigade
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.

Copied from Poems of Alfred Tennyson,
J. E. Tilton and Company, Boston, 1870

The remaining two images in today's post are a bit of catch up from the last few days. A crazy schedule and my obsession over the auction of the items collected for the proposed Wild West Museum in Harrisburg left me with very little time to do much else. I will post about the auction and items in a few days...

These final two images were shot in Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Nation in May. I love shooting in this canyon and more importantly I love to spend time there soaking in what I feel is a great power within its walls. I have often called this place Mother Earth's Sole. I find it to be an incredibly rejuvenating spot to visit and the light, color and texture is...perfect.